Nekoma Mountain

At Nekoma Mountain you can ski like a demonic cat even though you’re a dog (a powder hound). Nekoma, which loosely translates to “demonic cat”, is a ski resort where powder hounds can revel quietly in the powder amongst the trees with very little competition from other powder punters.

Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain is the amalgamation of the inter-connected ski areas formerly known as Urabandai Nekoma and Alts Bandai. The former Alts Bandai on the south side has well developed amenities and a lovely ski-in ski-out hotel, whilst the former Urabandai Nekoma Ski Resort on the northern side has fewer amenities and much better snow.

Pros and Cons of Nekoma Japan

Pros 

• The Nekoma Ski Resort has very good terrain parks by Japanese standards. There is a decent terrain park and it’s a hip Mecca for park junkies.
• The south side has a lovely ski-in ski-out hotel (Bandaisan Onsen Hotel) with an equally lovely onsen. The hotel infrastructure is quite contemporary.
• It’s great that there is a new lift to connect the two sides of the mountain and make the skiable terrain larger. Hoshino Resorts Nekoma Mountain is the largest of the Aizu ski resorts, although it’s still a modest sized ski area.
• Hoshino Resorts Nekoma can be an adjunct to skiing and snowboarding at the various other resorts in the Bandai-san area.
• Nekoma Mountain has some very nice tree skiing if you’re happy to work a little for your rewards.
• The north side has some of the best snow quality of the Bandai ski resorts.

Cons

• Nekoma Mountain is a ski resort that’s going downhill. Even though a new lift has been added to join the two ski areas, both sides have shrunk in terrain size and lift offerings, and the lifts that remain are mostly crappy ageing double chairs.
• The remaining lifts don’t always run and it’s not clear whether this is an issue of inadequate staffing or cost cutting.

Pro or Con Depending on Your Perspective

• The Nekoma ski resort is quiet on weekdays so the powder and ‘roys will belong to you. Weekends are usually crowded and there can be congestion at the ticket office, the lifts, and the restaurants.
• Nekoma Mountain is off the beaten track of western skiers and snowboarders, so there isn’t a lot of competition for the powder, however the hotel is popular with international Asians and it’s lost some of its Japanese-ness.
• If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife, Nekoma should not be on your bucket list. It is very low key, like most other unwesternised ski resorts in Japan.

Other pros and cons for the Aizu ski resorts also pertain to Nekoma.

Nekoma Mountain Ski and Snowboard Terrain

Despite marketing themselves as a “very large ski resort”, Nekoma Mountain is still quite a small ski area. Like other non-westernised ski resorts in Honshu, you could potentially experience a little déjà vu. Overall the Nekoma Mountain Ski Resort has 33 courses and 13 lifts, with both sides having reduced the number of operating lifts in recent years. The vertical is 638 metres, from an elevation of 1,338 on the north side to 700 metres.

The inter-connection between the Alts side and the former Nekoma side is via a double chair lift, and strong intermediates and above can pass back and forth between the south and north sides. Mid-level intermediates can head from north to south easily, but it’s more difficult going in the other direction via the trails “Excite 1” and “Excite 2”. Whilst the latter is now rated as blue, it used to be rated as a black/advanced run.

The trail split is 30% beginners, 40% intermediates, and 30% advanced, and the Alts side is mostly ideal for beginners and intermediates with its various highway wide runs, whilst the Nekoma (north) side has a slightly greater bias towards steeper runs, but don’t get too excited! Like most Japan ski resorts, the real fun for advanced skiers and snowboarders is in the trees. The resort is very slowly shunning its very conservative approach to off-piste skiing.

There is also a cat tour zone on the western portion of the south side that used to be part of the lift-served terrain. The Nekoma cat skiing is unguided and you can do single runs, with 3 snowcat rides offered each weekend day.

Where is Nekoma Japan?

The north side of Nekoma Mountain is situated on the northern face of Mt Nekomagadake on the northern flank or back face (Ura-bandai) of the majestic Mount Bandai in the Fukushima Prefecture. The north base is 24km northwest of the Inawashiro town and train station.

The south base is situated on the front side of Mount Bandai not far from the little town of Inawashiro and about 290km north of Tokyo.

See the Nekoma travel page for more information on location and getting there.

If you want to sample various Aizu ski resorts, you’ll want to have a car or be on a guided tour which includes transport, because bus systems to get around are very limited.

Nekoma Accommodation

There is no lodging at the north base (known as North Gate) of the Nekoma ski resort, but the very lovely Mercure Urabandai Resort is only 8km away. This large Japanese style hotel has a fantastic onsen and very good food. There are also other Urabandai hotels nearby.

Urabandai Accommodation Listings

The South Gate has the Bandaisan Onsen Hotel which is conveniently ski-in ski-out and inter-connected with the day lodges at the base of the ski area. The deluxe 4-star Mt Bandai Onsen Hotel features stylish and modern Japanese décor, western style twin accommodation, a delightful buffet restaurant, bar lounge, retail shop, ski storage, and a lovely onsen. The hotel also features a sizeable indoor swimming pool.

There are also lots of other Aizu accommodation options in the region, which are perfect for sampling multiple Aizu ski resorts in addition to Nekoma Mountain.

Ski Resort Facilities

South Gate

All the Nekoma ski resort facilities are housed within a day lodge at the base of the ski area. Amenities include a no-frills restaurant upstairs with a good selection of Japanese fare, child care (no English speaking staff), ski school (private lessons in English if pre-arranged), ski and snowboard rentals, and a retail shop with souvenirs, snacks, and ski and snowboard gear.

North Gate

The North Gate has lots of contemporary amenities for skiers and snowboarders, housed within two adjoining buildings at the base area of the ski resort. In addition to on-mountain restaurants, there are a couple of massive cafeterias at the base and a popular creperie. Food tends to cost a little more than at most other Honshu ski resorts.

Nekoma has a reputable ski and snowboard school, and lessons in English can be provided in a private or group form. There are high quality ski and snowboard rentals including step-on bindings for snowboards, and a large pro retail shop. There is also a kids’ play room, child care facilities for ages 8 months to 6 years old, and an adventure land with banana boating, tubing and sledding.